hotel other than those on property?

[Krispe]

Can some one suggest a good hotel in walking distance (like across the street) to the Universal parks? We don't want to have to wait for shuttles. Thanks a bunch!

Krispe

 

[Robinrs]

There are several hotels on Kirkman and Major that are very close to the parking garage. It's a hike but you can walk it. The Holiday Inn Universal and the Radisson Universal are good choices.

 

[Krispe]

Thanks Robinsrs! How long do you think it would take to walk there?


do you know of any maps that would show the location of the parks as well as the hotels in the surrounding areas?

Do you know if Vineland st is a closer location?

Is the Clarion hotel a close by hotel with an okay walking distance as well?

sorry for all the questions!

THanks,
Kris

 

[OhioTony]

We found a "days inn" at the main gate for 35.00 a night for sept. Check Daysinn.com . We stayed there 1 night a couple of years ago before heading to our hotel @ disney. It was clean, a pool & a Shoneys resteraunt. But, like you, I can't find any info on how far a walk it is to all the "action" at Universal or if transportation to the different parks is avialable once you enter the "main gate". Maybe we get lucky and a budget universal traveler will respond!
Tony

 

[Krispe]

That actually helps! Now from where the Days Inn was at if you were to have walked to Universal how long would it of taken? Do you remember any other hotels closer that the Days Inn?

thanks a bunch!!!

Krispe

 

[No11's Mom]

I'm just curious - how far would you be willing to walk? The walk in the morning wouldn't be THAT bad, but that walk back after hoofing through a theme park all day might not be too fun.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Universal complex is pretty much separate from everything on the "outside". The parking building for USF is a long hike from the parks, long enough for them to have moving sidewalks in it!! It seems as though it would be a very long walk to and from any offsite hotel.

 

[OhioTony]

The days inn is 2 blocks from front gate & they do have a pool, Shoney's resteraunt, Pizza Hut. game room & regular shuttle to the gates..keep in mind the Universal parks close earlier than disney. 6:00 when we are going, so that long walk back ,as referenced to, will take place at a decent hour. If nesecary parking @ universals lot is 8.00 a day. We plan on going to bed early & hitting the park early,not hangin out at the hotel. We re spending 5 days so we can take the parks at a leisurly pace.If ya have an Entertainment discount book you can get 1/2 off on site hotels, but they are still over $150.00.The book offers discounts on other off site hotels,but we checked most of em and looks like this is the best deal. There in no cancellation fee @ days inn if done 48hrs prior to arrival, so if anone can find a better place, I'd go up to $60.00 a day for an indoor pool & hot tubs, let me know! meanwhile, I'll save the dough & make the kids walk. Kids are too lazy these days! agood walk will do em good!

 

[Krispe]

Hi, thanks for the new info OhioTony! I'm not too sure what time the parks stay open till when we are there. I'll have to do a little research on that one myself. Where can you get a Entertainment book for Orlando at? So for the on site hotels there are 1/2 off coupons? Wow! That's pretty good! I wonder how much it is normally to stay at that Asian themed one? That would be cool!

Is there anyone out there that will not be using this coupon and would be nice enough to pass it along (I know it's asking alot!).

Thanks,
Krispe

 

[No11's Mom]

It's not a coupon, it's a card that comes with the book of coupons. Our December rate at the Royal Pacific for a standard room, garden view with the Entertainment Card discount is $110/nt.

 

[dtuleya]

Does anyone know how far ahead they release dates? I called yesterday trying to get March 2004 rates and the person I spoke to said they weren't out yet.

 

[CDisney]

The Amerisuites is in the same court as Days Inn if you want a little more space. We stayed there one night before we checked in the Portofino since we were arriving late.

The elevator was really slow, but the hotel was clean and there was a free continental breakfast. Through Valuetrips you can get suite for $55 per night.

We had no problems booking through valuetrips.

 

[No11's Mom]

You can go ahead and book your nights now and keep calling back and checking on rates. Then when the Entertainment rates come out, they will adjust your rate at that time.

 

[OhioTony]

After mutch deliberation and research for offsite hotels we dropped Days Inn.

This thread, a best of-worst of on hotels was a great help:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=217251

We used our "Entertainment" card for half off a suite at Holiday Inn Universal (84.00) as this was listed as several "best's" while Days Inn didn't fare so well. Still less than half price of on site hotels. Wish us luck!

Thanks to all who contribute to these boards. it makes vacation planning so much more informed! We have used these boards on Disney World & Disney Cruise trips & It has never let us down!

Tony...

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Ohio Tony!

I'm so glad the Best and Worst hotel experiences post helped you! It was precisely why I posted it!

So many people post either good or bad experiences but they get lost on the boards and the search doesn't always work. I, too, booked that Day's Inn some years ago before I read the reviews..

An informed sconsumer is a happy one!